RECRUITING a first choice goalkeeper is manager Les Parry’s top priority as Tranmere return to the training ground for the start of pre-season preparations this week.

Rovers have bowed to the inevitable in accepting that Tony Warner won’t be returning to Prenton Park after playing 25 games during the second half of last season.

The well-travelled 37-year-old from Liverpool was offered a new deal for the forthcoming season. But Tranmere cannot match the kind of terms Warner hopes to secure from wealthier clubs after performing to a consistently high standard during his four-month stay at Prenton Park.

Tranmere released goalkeeping prospect Joe Collister at the end of last season after the 19-year-old from Hoylake made a dozen first-team appearances over two seasons as a professional.

They have high hopes of Andy Coughlin, an 18-year-old who progressed through the youth development system and signed his first professional contract in the spring.

But Parry wants to give Coughlin time to develop as an understudy to a more experienced goalkeeper over the coming year.

Parry said: “We always knew it would be difficult to keep Tony for another season. We made him an offer but we can’t afford to match the kind of money he can pick up by going elsewhere. We are looking at the list of about three or four options for a goalkeeper and hopefully we can get something sorted sooner rather than later.”

Parry expects half a dozen trialists to join the players retained from last season when training commences on Wednesday.

The odds are that Dale Jennings will not be rejoining his team-mates, with a move to Bayern Munich likely to be finalised within the next few days.

The Bundesliga giants have made Tranmere an offer believed to be worth up to £1.7million when add-ons are factored in, although the up front fee is a more modest £500,000.

However, the 18-year-old Liverpool-born winger would need only to sign professional German forms and play a handful of first-team games for the figure rise beyond the £1m mark.

That would make the deal Tranmere’s most lucrative transfer since they sold Ryan Taylor to Wigan Athletic £1.5m six years ago.

Championship club West Ham United are reported to be ready to move in with an offer worth up to £1.8m for Jennings after having a £600,000 bid rejected by Tranmere in January.

But Jennings is understood to be keen to try his luck in Germany after establishing an exciting reputation in 29 first-team games for Tranmere last season.

Parry described the move as a “fantastic opportunity” for Jennings, who was a youth and reserve team player this time last year.

Jennings would expect begin his time in Munich as a reserve player, should he join. However Bayern have a strong track record in developing and progressing players into the first team.

Aaron Cresswell may also be on the move this week. West Brom are reported to be looking at the 21-year-old left back after Tranmere rejected offers from two Championship clubs.

Cresswell is out of contract at Prenton Park and turned down Rovers’ offer of a new deal this summer. However, clubs who want to sign players under the age of 24 must agree a compensation fee.